If Madeira's success were measured by the number of its nicknames, the Portuguese island would be a hit: "Pearl of the Atlantic", "island of flowers" or "Hawaii of Europe"... Madeira inspires, and that is not just theoretical: the Portuguese archipelago located in the northwest of Africa is attracting a growing number of foreign visitors.
Because yes, the native island of the Lusitanian idol Cristiano Ronaldo deserves all the flattering nicknames attributed to it.
It also offers a huge advantage, shared with its Spanish neighbor in the Canaries: its subtropical climate gives it mild temperatures all year round.
Hence its umpteenth nickname of “the island of eternal spring”, which however implies that one should never expect summer and Mediterranean temperatures, or radiant sunshine.
Finally, be aware that, beach-wise, Madeira does not offer long stretches of sand.
Its jagged coastline offers natural swimming pools in rocky environments.
To discover
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Madeira ticks all the boxes of the perfect destination for hikes or a road trip in all seasons, knowing that the end of the year is particularly lively with its fireworks and its carnival We stroll through its charming towns, we venture onto its myriad of “hiking” trails and marvel at the enchanting landscapes of its coasts, off which whales meet between April and October.
Map: our road trip to discover Madeira (133 km drive)
Step 1: Funchal
The Monte botanical garden, in Funchal, called the “Jardim Tropical Monte Palace”.
It is reached by funicular.
Travel Faery
1 day – Culture – Gastronomy
After about 3.5 hours of flight from Paris, we landed on the surprising runway suspended from pylons at Cristiano Ronaldo airport, the most famous native of Madeira.
We collect our rental car and head towards the center of Funchal to discover the must-see attractions of the island's capital.
Stroll through the old town and admire the remarkable interiors of the Sé Cathedral and the Igreja do Colégio;
Stroll among the colorful stalls of the Mercado dos Lavradores and enjoy a
bolo do caco
, a traditional bread topped with garlic butter;
Stroll along the black and white paving of Praça do Municipio and enter the doors of the Uau Cacau chocolate factory to taste succulent maracuja
pralines
;
Climb by funicular to the Monte district and stroll through the Jardim Tropical Monte Palace, the magnificent botanical garden of Madeira, before going back down using the
carros de cesto
, wicker baskets mounted on wooden runners and pushed by
carreiros
;
Take a gourmet break at Fabrica Santo Antonio, whose honey cakes have been delighting the taste buds of gourmands since 1893.
Step 2: Câmara de Lobos
2 days – 10 km – 15 min drive – Nature
Sunset over Câmara de Lobos and its xavelas (traditional fishing boats).
anilah - stock.adobe.com
Not far from Funchal, the small town of Câmara de Lobos seduces with its authentic charm.
At the time of the island's discovery, it was named so because of the numerous seals (
lobos
) which populated its bay, now colored by
xavelas
, traditional fishing boats.
Marvel at the breathtaking view offered by Cabo Girão, the highest promontory in Europe (580 m) and walk on its glass-bottomed platform suspended above the void;
Drive to Ribeira Brava (13 km) to enjoy a superb view of the west coast from the viewpoints of São Sebastião and Espigão;
Continue on the road towards Calheta (20 km) to visit the Casa das Mudas contemporary art museum and admire the rolling waves breaking on the beaches of Jardim do Mar, the best surf spot in Madeira.
Step 3: West Coast
1 day – 42 km – 45 min drive – Nature
Among the viewpoints, that of the Mirador da Eira da Achada is particularly impressive.
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Head to the western tip of the island to discover the enchanting landscapes of Ponta do Pargo.
From there, we take the road leading to Achadas da Cruz, whose mountains and unspoilt nature offer great hiking opportunities.
Take in views of the Atlantic Ocean and rock formations scattered off the coast from the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse lookout, which sits atop a 290m cliff;
Take the cable car connecting Achada da Cruz to Fajã de Quebrada Nova beach to admire the panorama of the ocean and the surrounding mountains.
Step 4: North coast
2 days – 21 km – 35 min drive – Nature
Natural swimming pool of volcanic origin in Seixal.
Jana - stock.adobe.com
Our road trip to Madeira continues with the discovery of the north coast of the island, an ideal playground for nature lovers.
Between natural pools of volcanic origin, lush laurel forests, thousand-year-old caves and black sand beaches, we take advantage of these two days to reconnect with the elements.
Bathe in the famous natural pools of Porto Moniz and visit the Madeira Aquarium;
Venture along the green paths of the Levada da Ribeira de Janeira and admire the exuberance of the laurel forest of Fanal, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site;
Stop at Seixal (10 km) to contemplate the striking contrast between the black sand of the beach, the blue of the ocean and the green of the mountains covered with vineyards;
Explore the 890,000-year-old São Vicente Caves and visit the Volcanism Center.
Step 5: Land
Spectacular hike on the Pico Ruivo trails.
Jan Nedbal
1 day – 50 km – 1 hour drive – Trekking
We leave the coast to go inland where the mountains of the central cordillera of the island rise.
We soak up the magnificent landscapes, discover the richness of the local flora and observe endemic birds, such as the Madeira wren.
Set off on the PR 1.2 route (45 min walk) to admire Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on the island (1862 m), whose heights offer a view of the island of Porto Santo;
Venture onto the slopes of the Pico de Arieiro (1818 m) by taking the trails of the PR1 route, which also allows you to admire the Pico das Torres (1851 m).
Step 6: Santana
1 day – 10 km – 15 min drive – Traditions
The palheiros, traditional houses, in Santana.
Pascal Ledard
Last stop on our Madeiran getaway, the small town of Santana owes its reputation to its typical triangular houses.
With their thatched roofs and colorful facades, these traditional wooden buildings have over time become one of the symbols of the island.
Immortalize yourself in front of the iconic houses of Santana and discover the traditions of the island by visiting the Parque Tematico da Madeira;
Board the cable car leading to the Rocha do Navio Nature Reserve and enjoy panoramic views of the region;
Go to the neighboring village of Faial to admire the volcanic rock of Penha de Agua from the Miradouro do Cortado.
Then head to Funchal airport to return the rental vehicle and board the plane back to Paris.
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